From the article: Are Gel Feeders Safe?
Block fish feeders for use on vacation have long been panned for their negative effect on the water chemistry. But what about gel feeders? Have you used one? If so, did it work, or did you come home to a disaster? Help other fish owners
Ok, but there's a better option...
- In my experience, they work okay. I usually don't use them because once they barely dissolved and I was lucky that they survived! I prefer the calcium ones for this reason. Also, I'm doubting how good they are for your water. I'd Try both while you're still home and see which one works better.
- —Guest FishGirl
Mixed feelings
- I tried gel feeders for a weekend in a guppy tank, slicing it in 8 parts. The fish left most of it uneaten, only eating the bit that I put on top of a rock. I moved some pieces to that spot, and they were eaten. The rest of the pieces remained untouched. So I have mixed feelings about it, but haven't tried the white blocks with these fish, so there's no comparison reference.
- —Guest Guppy_lady
Gel Feeder
- Never dissolved, and my fish are almost dead. Unacceptable. The calcium one that I used last week was fine
- —Guest Unhappy
OK for Short Term Use
- My fish nibble on the gel feeder for a day or two, but after that they show no interest. I would think that if they were starving they would eat the food, so I'm thinking that perhaps the gels breaks down some and the fish dine on particles in the water (just a guess). My fish do not consume much of the gel feeder and I really should try to set up an automatic feeder. I have an assortment of guppies that eat like pigs, along with tetras and cat fish.
- —Guest Shelley
Vacation Feeding
- I am surprised that so many people believe you must feed fish every day. I have 23 tanks and auto feeders would be cost prohibitive. A few years ago I learned that fish can go without food for up to 3 weeks without starving to death. Now, I regularly leave my fish for up to 10 days without feeding them and have never lost a fish to starvation. The only fish that need food daily are fry (baby fish) and they should be fed 2-3 times a day. If I have fry, I have a smart relative come in to feed them while I am in Vegas gambling away my kids inheritance.
- —Guest 7John7
Gel feeder
- I also have tried them and they were consumed entirely and my fish and water were exactly as I left them, healthy, so I will be using them again. I think if you have trouble breaking them in half would be a good idea.
- —Dachies4me
Gel Feeders
- Recently used the Gel Feeders in my five tanks, over a five day period. From what I could tell, most of the fish wouldn't eat them. Fortunately, as advertised, the feeders didn't affect the water chemistry. Lost a couple of fish while I was gone, but no evidence to blame the feeders. I'd recommend looking into using a good auto feeder or have a responsible friend come over while you're gone to feed your fish.
- —BBradbury
Depends on your type of fish
- The response to the gel type feeders will depend on your type of fish. Most of my fish have no problem with the feeders but top feeders will not even know it is there. My Betta tank would not touch it and I have to use a timer feeder with that tank. I also used a portion of one on a 5 gallon that I had one of my male bettas in and had a bad algae bloom when I returned. I recorded no changes in water chemistry in any tank and just suggest you test one with your fish before your trip to see if they are responsive to them.
- —Guest lcasad
gel feeders
- Just got back after being gone for six days. Worked fine. They were all cleaned up by the fish.
- —Guest Gerald Koehler
Gel Feeders
- I tried them and my fish would not eat them! We were gone 7 days!
- —Guest ew2ing75062
Gel feeders
- I am planning a trip in mide September. I have purchased the gel type feeder and will use it. I will also do a water change before and after vacation and test all levels. will report back.
- —Guest Joanne
Yes, I love them!
- I went away for a two week trip and could not get a house sitter. I had to experiment with 2 seven-day gel feeders and when I got back all my fish were alive and well. There was no change to my tank water and the fish were still moving about as usual. Usually; when I am home, I prefer to use the normal everyday stuff, though.
- —Guest Wayne
Yes
- Having said that, I can only speak from experience and they worked for me, the fish were healthy and there was no change in the water condition. I will use them each time I leave the house for a week or more.
- —Fish4me
They worked for me
- As well as my indoor tanks, I have two outside small ponds. I put the gel feeders in the ponds and was away for 3 weeks, my house sitter was advised to put a new feeder in each week. All were consumed by the time I got back and all fish were alive and well, no affect on water quality. Will be using them again on this years holiday away.
- —Fish4me
Gel Feeders
- I have used these quite recently and they are weird looking,, but the fish seemed to be happy to eat these. We were away for 1 week. I like the thought of using these as opposed to the plaster block type fish feeder. I have used the stick type weekend feeder quite successfully but the only place I know that has them is a bit of a drive and I'm lazy. I would be happy to use the gel feeders again . I would like to know what they use in the gel feeders as the base or the setting agent.
- —blackswordfish
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